Subject:  Thank you Canada!! |
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NY'er
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Date Posted: 23:48:51 11/29/01 Thu
Thousands of Canadians to embrace the Big Apple in a special weekend rally
ROBERT RUSSO
The Canadian Press, 2001
NEW YORK (CP) - New York is hurting and needs the reassurance of a hug from an old friend. Enter Canada. Some 3,500 Canadians are expected to scramble aboard planes, trains and buses for a "Canada Loves New York" rally in Manhattan this weekend.
New Yorkers who would normally jab any stranger in the puss who might try to embrace them seem to be slightly more receptive. "We're all craving that kind of support right now," said Shawn Whatley, a librarian from Kindersley, Sask., who lives in New York.
"All of a sudden life is more stressful than it was six months ago."
Several New Yorkers approached Thursday near Times Square were oblivious to Canadians' rush to help them.
"I don't think it has been advertised enough in New York City because everyone I've mentioned it to has no idea what I am talking about," said Sherri Lynn Gibbing, who moved here from Swift Current, Sask.
But the event would seem to say more about Canadians than New Yorkers. Many of these people who will spend hours on a bus are the same people who threw open their homes to stranded Americans grounded after air traffic was stopped on Sept. 11.
Canadians accused U.S. President George W. Bush of being slow to express his gratitude for their help after Sept. 11. They won't be able to level the same accusation this time.
Even before the Canadians crossed the border for the weekend festivities, Bush sent along thanks.
"Our countries have stood shoulder to shoulder in war, peace, trial and triumph and we again stand together to defeat terrorism," Bush said in a statement.
"You demonstrate your love for this remarkable city and build on the special heritage our countries share as lands of freedom and opportunity."
The city of New York is certainly suffering a rare outburst of civility since the atrocities of Sept. 11. People nod a greeting at total strangers and help elderly women across the street. Cab drivers seem to be curbing their natural urge to compel changes in the irreversible flow of traffic by honking their horns.
Crowds still form around the lavish Macey's store window displays, but this year, there's a newly delicate balance to be struck between the naked greed of commerce and some visual nod to the city's ongoing angst.
Ralph Lauren's latest lines come flag-draped and wrapped in a long, windy declaration of designer patriotism. A giant head of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani - dubbed Rudolph the Right-on Reindeer - draws a bead on passersby from the window of trendy Barney's on Madison Avenue.
Giuliani will no doubt be keenly appreciative of this weekend's wave of Canadian visitors even if they come bearing 63-cent loonies.
"More Canadians visit New York than any other nationality," the mayor told Jean Chretien in September after the prime minister's tour of Ground Zero.
Those numbers plummeted after Sept. 11.
To bring them back, Giuliani and the organizers of this weekend's rally have tried to make the limping loonie go further. The city's hoteliers have been persuaded to lower their notoriously pricey rooms for Canadians. A night at the midtown Manhattan Sheraton that normally goes for $300 US has been dropped to $169 plus taxes.
Air Canada was offering lower rates to ferry Canadians to New York. The special-fare flights were quickly sold out.
Ads enticing Canadians to make the journey this weekend have put the accent on lower prices. A newspaper advertisement depicting the Statue of Liberty clad in the red and white of the Canadian flag declares, "There will never be a more inexpensive time to visit New York."
Getting the cheaper rooms may prove difficult. The Sheraton was quickly sold out of the block reserved for Canadians. Other rooms at $199 were still available.
Those making the trip will be rubbing elbows with a smattering of Canadian celebrities.
Supermodel Linda Evangelista and sports figures such as Eric Lindros are expected at a rally at the Roseland Ballroom.
Television spots have featured Chretien urging, "Canada, show your support."
"I love New York," Chretien said recently. "It's fun to be in New York when you have the time to go and the money."
"They went through a very traumatic period. We have to show our solidarity."
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